Cuomo joins other states to push for zero-emission vehicles

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced plans Thursday to work with seven other states to boost the number of so-called clean vehicles on the roads. The Multi-State Zero-Emission Vehicles Action Plan sets the goal of getting more than 3.3 million vehicles in the eight member states by 2025.

New York will work with California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. Together, these states account for more than 25 percent of U.S. auto sales.

The plan lays out specific goals for the states to support zero-emission vehicles, including investing in infastructure, removing barriers for charging stations and promoting consumer use.

New York’s involvement in the plan coincide with Cuomo’s plans to promote electric vehicles laid out in his 2013 State of the State Address.

Electric vehicles are not “zero emissions”. The power plants that are the source of their fuel emit plenty of pollutants and do substantial environmental harm. These cars have “remote tailpipes” that do their damage out of sight and out of mind of their owners.